NGA Training is a Royal Yachting Association recognised training centre, established in Whitehaven Marina. This recognition currently enables us to teach all the RYA theory courses up to and including Yachtmaster Ocean, however, this recognition is in the process of being extended to include all practical courses within the sail cruising scheme, first aid courses and the International Certificate of Competency.

NGA Training also provides specialist training for those candidates wishing to achieve the Maritime & Coastguard Agency STCW ‘95 Master (coded vessels less than 200gt)/Officer of the Watch (coded vessels less than 500gt) certificate of competency, more commonly known as the Master 200.

Our RYA theory courses are developed to be intensive but at the same time friendly, informal and are structured to run over several consecutive days, or over a couple of weekends plus one day etc., it is entirely up to you, flexibility is one of our main priorities. In addition to being tailored to meet your specific needs we also offer instruction on a “one to one” basis through to groups of up to six persons maximum. All our courses are taught on an “on demand” basis rather than by a scheduled programme of classes.

Essential Navigation and Seamanship

A basic introductory 16 hour course for which there is no suggested minimum pre-course experience required. The course assumes no previous knowledge and aims to give each student a basic knowledge of navigation and safety.

Courses for a single person or a couple are normally held in Whitehaven but for larger groups we can offer a choice of venues. The course cost will include provision of the RYA course pack, each student is, however, expected to provide his or her own parallel rules or plotter, dividers, rubber and 2B pencil. Refreshments will be available throughout the sessions and there will usually be pub facilities nearby for lunch or recovery.

Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore

A successful completion of a Day Skippers Shorebased course would be an advantage but not essential. Each candidate would, however, be assumed to have a knowledge of navigation to Day Skipper standard. This course will give each candidate the background knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night. If circumstances permit around two hours of this course will be spent out in the dark!

Day Skipper

A course where some practical experience would be beneficial but which also assumes little or no knowledge on the part of each candidate. The course content delivers basic seamanship and an introduction to more advanced seamanship and navigation. On successful completion of the 40 hour course the candidate will have sufficient background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.

Training Centre

Yachtmaster Ocean

A pre-course experience of coastal and offshore sailing plus an assumed knowledge of navigation to Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore theory standard would be useful for this course. The course content will be concentrating on Ocean and Celestial navigation, world meteorology and oceanography, and will provide the successful candidate with a sound knowledge to skipper a yacht on ocean passages.

All our courses are fun to do, lighthearted in approach and will utilise visual aids not just confined to the classroom—this means out in the fresh air!